Woo Hoo!!

[Steph55]

I finally rode on a gravel road. I’ve been afraid to do this since the one and only time I tipped my bike over was while trying to turn my bike around on gravel (side of the road). I’ve wanted to do this, not because I like riding on them but because by b/f rides motocross and I’ve wanted to go out and watch him practice but to get to the track you need to go on a gravel road. No problem!! I travelled about 2km on it, took my time and went a steady smooth pace. Now I know it’s not as difficult as I was afraid it would be. I was proud of myself - had to share

[acalliste]

Nice job!

Gravel & sand were my biggest fears for the first couple of years I rode. I'm ok with them now, but it was quite a mental obstacle to get past.

[blndebmbr]

Congrats!!! It's another confidence builder!

My poor R6 is more of an enduro at times...I'll take it anywhere. Grass, mud, sand, gravel......I look at her as a "pretty" dirtbike at times! Just know that you can take that bike just about anywhere as long as you are careful and take your time.

[short1]

wooo hooooo!!! That is awsome!

How did you do the turns while on the gravel?

[Steph55]

Thanks guys.

Originally Posted by short1

wooo hooooo!!! That is awsome!

How did you do the turns while on the gravel?

Lucky for me there was just a little bend to go around, no biggie.

[Valyssia]

Originally Posted by Steph55

I finally rode on a gravel road. I’ve been afraid to do this since the one and only time I tipped my bike over was while trying to turn my bike around on gravel (side of the road). I’ve wanted to do this, not because I like riding on them but because by b/f rides motocross and I’ve wanted to go out and watch him practice but to get to the track you need to go on a gravel road. No problem!! I travelled about 2km on it, took my time and went a steady smooth pace. Now I know it’s not as difficult as I was afraid it would be. I was proud of myself - had to share

Yeah so... First post... Yay me!

Grats on the triumph. Gravel can be bad but...

Tar and chip is worse IMO. Like hella WAY worse!

Wrap your mind around this... Movin' right along like a solid idiot on one of your favorite road happily into the tripple digits because you think you've got it all wired. It was a nice road yesterday... This morning the powers that be decided to lay down a layer of tar and chip. What do you do?

Answer: Relax... It's only roadrash. Ease off the throttle and keep your hand off the front brakes. Slow down as gradually as you have the luxury to. Keep the all the stopping to the rear. It's like driving a trailer rig on ice. All compression braking to keep her straight and a lot of fast prayers if you are so inclined.

Yes, that all from experience. Luckily I only had that particular experience once. You learn over the years that some things can happen very quick with little warning. Even paving if it is the right type.

Test passes can be good for your health.

And backroads can be fun but...

Stay safe ladies!

Valyssia

[acalliste]

It's situations like the above that make the track a safer place for triple digits. Glad you worked through the crisis without injury.

Welcome to SBN Valyssia.

[Valyssia]

Originally Posted by acalliste

It's situations like the above that make the track a safer place for triple digits. Glad you worked through the crisis without injury.

Welcome to SBN Valyssia.

Indeed... It's quite amazing the silly shtuff you get by with when you are in you late teens and riding one of the hottest bikes on the street.

I have a few hits I can talk about along with those near misses but I think that's just the nature of the beast.

I don't advocated anything but safety these days. The temptation can be there but I can't seem to find the action. I'm not one that would do well on the track. My technique was developed street racing and I knew no better way to introduce that than to talk about it. I'm a fine instinctive rider that can hold her own on just about anything with two wheels but I will never see track time because I've completely lost my edge.

The above example was extreme however, most of us know that whether you are doing 105 or 55, riding onto a bunch of ball bearings is BAD! It came to mind more because they seem to be doing just that to every other secondary road in my neck of the world in preparation for winter.

Ride safe!

Valyssia

[acalliste]

Sounds like every Sunday down here, over in Lake county. Yep, road hazards can screw you up, regardless. And I'm not saying that I'm not guilty of exceeding the posted speed limit myself, and running up into a mess in the road of one description or another (But that's just between you & me! )

You know what though, the reasons you just gave for not riding a track day don't hold water to me, missy! I didn't day anything about racing. I get out there and go at my own pace, just to have fun and hone my skills. No pressure except what I put on myself. You should give a little more thought.

[Valyssia]

Originally Posted by acalliste

Sounds like every Sunday down here, over in Lake county. Yep, road hazards can screw you up, regardless. And I'm not saying that I'm not guilty of exceeding the posted speed limit myself, and running up into a mess in the road of one description or another (But that's just between you & me! )

You know what though, the reasons you just gave for not riding a track day don't hold water to me, missy! I didn't day anything about racing. I get out there and go at my own pace, just to have fun and hone my skills. No pressure except what I put on myself. You should give a little more thought.

Maybe... I have fun just going to the post office. I hate to say that... Dodging stupid, blind cages is pretty good for honing those skills. Now I'm not saying that I could NEVER have fun doing that. And Mid Ohio is within a morning's ride of where I live.

I'll leave it at maybe...

We need to stop jacking Steph's thread though. I know that feeling. Not the thread jacking but the gravel riding. You done good hon!!!

I'll tell you one more story in MY thread about gravel. It's a bit long winded so give me a few to get it together. It's a fun one.

Valyssia

[operaflute]

Ooh I'm impressed! I need to make myself get over that, too. Hate feeling like I can't do something.

[Beautiful Angel]

Congrats!!! That is a very big step, though I have driven on them I still don't feel confident doing it. I go really slow. They re-did parts of my road with pea gravel and one day I was on my way home from work, I didn't know it. SO when I truned down my road I took it really slow. Pissed the people off behind me, but I didn't care. My life is more important than some strangers feeling about my cautious driving